Portable target range

ABSTRACT

A shooting game amusement device comprising a plurality of pneumatically actuated, pneumatically operated cannon arranged within collapsible enclosures mounted on opposite sides of a portable trailer support platform. A corresponding plurality of targets are arranged alternately between the cannon within the enclosures such that an operator manually actuates a firing mechanism within the cannon to hurl a projectile from the cannon toward the targets on the opposite side of the platform and automatically returns the projectiles to the cannon by a conveyer and gravity feed means.

United States Patent 1191 Burns et al.

1451 Apr. 9, 1974 1 PORTABLE TARGET RANGE [76] lnventors: Jack E. Burns; David A. Norton, both of Ehrlich Rd., Tampa, Fla.

22 Filed: May's, 1972 21 Appl.No.:250,607

521 u.s.c1. ..273/101,273/103, 124/11 R, 124/50, 296/26 511 Int. l. ..F41j 1/10 [58] Field of Search....LIT.'..:. L273/ 101T 951?,10'5 R, 273/1021 c, 102.1 R, 103, 108 R,

'[56] I 1 1 References Cited I UNlTED STATES PATENTS 1/1926 Nock 272/29 4/1924 Deubel 273/108 Primary Examiner-RichardC. Pinkham Assistant Examiner-Ma'rvin Siskind v Attorney, Agent, or Firm-Stein, Orman & Fisher [57] ABSTRACT A shooting game amusement device comprising a plurality of pneumatically actuated, pneumatically operated cannon arranged within collapsible enclosures mounted on opposite sides of a portable trailer support platform. A corresponding plurality of targets are arranged alternately'between the cannon within the enclosures such that an operator manually actuates a firing mechanism within the cannon to hurl a projectile from the cannon toward the'targets on the opposite side of the platform and automatically returns'the projectiles to the cannon by' a conveyer and gravity feed means. 2

19 Claims, 12Drawing Figures ATENTEBAFR 9m 3.802.705

sum 1 or 3 V FIG! FIG-2 PATENTEDAPR 91914 SHEET 2 u? 3 av ;M a

FIG.

' P'ATENTEDAPR 9 1914 7 sum 3 OF 3 .1 PORTABLE TARGET RANGE BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention This invention relates to an amusement device comprising a plurality of pneumatically actuated, pneumatically operated cannon arranged to shoot projectiles at aplurality of correpondingly positioned targets and automatically return the projectiles to the cannon.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PRlOR ART I Numerous amusement devices have been developed for use at carnivals, fairs and the like. Among the most popular amusement devices are those in which two or more participantsmatch their skills. Games comprising various competitive shooting games are quite common. These shooting games range from shooting pellets, balls and other small projectiles to shooting jets of water and air. a 1 r ".In order to Withstand the stress of travelling and playing, the'construction of many of these machines requires lengthy set-up time as well as extensive maintenance. Another shortcoming is the, limited number of players that may participate at any one time. In addition, ,with few exceptions, these amusement games require continuous operator attendance. The following are severalexamples of such devices. Y j

Reibstein, u. 5'. Pat. No. 1,018,343, relates to a billiard-type game including a continually moving ball carrier having spaced supporting means for supporting a plurality of balls past the muzzle of amanually controlled gun. The object is to knock the balls off the carrier into a table having a plurality of retaining means or pockets for the balls. Each gun comprises a barrel having an axially aligned plunger which acts under spring tension to impart a velocity to the balls As the balls become lodged in the manually therefrom.

Deubel, U. S. Pat. No. l,489,824, relatesto a'target apparatus for amusement purposes including a retractable projectile in the form of a miniature cannon which travels along a pair of parallel rails mounted on the upper surface of a pivotally mounted replica of a long gun.

Tratsch, U. S. Pat. No. 1,523,732, relates to a gun amusement game including an inclined surface over which a projectile is fired from a spring-loaded gun toward a plurality of targets. The projectiles are then returned to the gun and automatically cycled into the breach ofthe firing mechanism.

Moray, U. S. Pat. No. 1,929,327 relates to a shooting game amusement device formatching the shooting skills of two participants. The invention comprises of an enclosed area where the participants fire at opposing targets. The bottom of the enclosure is constructed so the projected missils will gravitate to the center thereof where the missiles are returned to the magazines of individual shooting devices to provide a constant supply of ammunition.

Thus, because of these shortcomings and overall popularity of the shooting type game device, it is apparent that there is a need for a relatively simple setup/maintenance game which requires a minimum of operator attendance.

pockets, they must be removed otally attached to opposite sides of the support platform are a pair of collapsible enclosures each having a substantially flat floor and arcuated sides extending up wardly and inwardly toward the top of the support plat form.

A plurality of pneumatically actuated, pneumatically operated cannon extend inwardly fromthe collapsible enclosures. An air source isoperatively connected to each cannon as a means of propelling projectiles across the support platform toward a plurality of corresponding targets arranged-on opposite sides of the enclosures. Each target is operatively connected to an audio and/or visual indicator to provide a positive means to indicate a target hit. 1 I 1 a A continuous supply of projectiles is fed to eachindividual cannon by an automatic feed means comprising a vertically disposed continuous conveyer located in the center of the support platform which raises the projectiles to a hopper which feeds each of four gravity feed chutes extending toeach enclosure where the projectiles are fed to feed tubes attached to the magazine of each cannon by a horizontally disposed-conveyer extending the length of each enclosure. 7

The device further includes an electro-mechanical retraction means comprising an electric motor arranged to extend and retract wires attached to the sides of the collapsible enclosures to extend and retract these enclosures relative to the support platform.

To operate, the sides of the support platform are opened to allow the collapsible enclosure to fold out and expand to the operating configuration. Projectiles are fed into the platform. The floor of the platform is slanted to cause the projectiles to move toward the center thereof when the vertical conveyer transports the projectiles to the hopper to be gravity fed to the horizontal conveyer and from there to each cannon. A predetermined controlled number of projectiles are fed'to the magazine. l

Upon actuation .of a pneumatic valve, a projectile is fed into the breech of the cannon. Upon actuation of a second pneumatic valve, pneumatic'pressure is fed into the breech forcing the projectile out the barrel and toward a target on the opposite side of the support platsures upward and inward until they are essentially on end over thecenter of gravity so they can be easily moved.

The invention accordingly comprises the features of construction, combination of elements, and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereinafter set forth, and the scope of the invention will be indicated in the claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS For a fuller understanding of the nature of the invention, reference should be had to the following detailed description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention expanded in the operational configuration.

FIG. 2 is a partial end view of the interior of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a partial detailedview of a cannon and conveyer means'of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a partial detailed view of the top wall of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a partial end view of the presentinvention collapsed in the travel position.

- FIGS. 7 through 10 are perspective views of the collapsible area in various stages offolding.

FIG. 11 is a perspective view of the present invention collapsed in the travel configuration.

FIG. 12 is a detailed side view of a cannon of .the present invention.

Similar reference characters refer to similar parts throughout the severalv views of the drawings.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As shown in FIG. 1, the present invention comprises a portable trailer support platform generally indicated as 10, including a substantially rectangular housing 12- mounted on a double axle support (not shown) having a wheel or roller 14 attached to each end thereof. The housing 12 comprises horizontally disposed top and bottom walls 16 and 18 respectively and vertically disposed end walls 20 and 22. The bottom wall 18 is slanted downward toward the center as more fully described hereinafter. Pivotally attached to the upper portion of sides 24 and 26 are doors 28 and 30 respectively. Hingedly attached to doors 28 and 30 are telescoping support braces 33. Pivotally attached to opposite sides of the support platform 12 are a pair of collapsible enclosures 32.

. As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 6, enclosure 32 includes a floor 36 hingedly attached to bottom wall 18 by hinge 38. Fixedly attached to the opposite side of the floor 36 is lower arcuated side 40 which is, in turn, hingedly attached to upper-arcuated side 42. As best shown FIGS. 7 through 10, fixedly attached to the outer ends of the floor 36 and lower arcuated side 40. is a lower end wall 44. l-Iingedly attached to the upper side of end wall 44 is an upper end wall 46. As best shown in FIG. 4, when collapsible enclosures 32 are expanded, they are held in position by support means of 48, preferably a chain or other similarly flexible support means, fixedly attached to upper wall 16 and removably attached to upper arcuated side 42 at 49.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 12, a plurality of pneumatically actuated, pneumatically operated firing mechanisms generally indicated as 50 extend inwardly through apertures 52 formed in the lower arcuated side 40 operatively attached to a pneumatic loading and firing means 56. The cannon 50 includes breech 58 operatively connected'to tubular magazine 60 and cylindrical barrel 62. The pneumatic loading and firing means 56 comprises a magazine loading piston .64 including 4 housing 66 and horizontal retaining means comprising member 68 extending through the side wall of magazine 60, breech loading mechanism 70 including piston means 72 and reciprocating slide means 74 extending beneath the open end of magazine 60 within the top portion of breech 58, firing valve 76 and accumulation chamber 78 which is attached to a pneumatic source (not shown) by conduit 80. The entire firing mechanism '50 is pivotally mounted within aperture 52 by plate 82.

As shown in FIG. 3, a corresponding plurality of targets 120 are alternately spaced between the cannon 54. Each target 120 comprises a plurality of parallel slats 122 disposed in vertically spaced relation to each other to cooperatively form a surface including aperture 124. Mounted behind aperture 124 is element 126 which is connected to an audio and/or visual indicator (not shown). I

A continuous supply of projectiles 86 is fed to each firing mechanism 50 by an automatic feed means comprising vertically disposed continuous conveyer 88 (FIG. 2) located in the center of the support platform 12 which raises the projectiles to hopper 90 which feeds each of four gravity feed channels 92extending to each enclosure 32. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the projectiles 86 are fed from channels 92 to feed tubes 94 attached to the upper portion of tubular magazine-60 of each firing mechanism 50 by horizontally disposed conveyers 96 extending the length of each enclosure 34. Each horizontally disposed conveyer 96 is driven by separate electric drive motor 100. The outer edge of each horizontally disposed conveyer 96 is slanted slightly downward to gravity feed the upper end of the feed tubes 94 through aperture 98 (FIG. 3).

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, the device 10' includes an electro-mechanical retraction means for each enclosure 32 comprising an electric motor 104 operatively connected to retraction element comprising wires 106, attached to the sides of enclosures 32 at 108. The wires 106 ride over members and pulleys 112. As shown in FIG. 6, point 108 is so located on enclosure 32 such than when retracted, the center of gravity of enclosure 32 extends directly downward through point 108 such that enclosure 32 may be easily swung inward to the travel position or swung outwardly and allowed to extend with substantial ease.

To operate the device 10, the doors 28 are swung outward to open the sides of support platform 12 to allow the collapsible enclosures 32 to be folded outward and expanded to the operating configuration as shown in FIG. 1. The doors 28 are held open by extending braces 33 outward in telescopic fashion. Retraction motor 104 is actuated to draw enclosure 32 upwardly to the upright position as shown in FIG. 6 where they may be folded out easily. Once the enclosure 34 is folded downward, floor 36 extended outwardly, side 42 and end wall 46 are unfolded as shown in FIG. 7. In this configuration, floor 36 slants slightly inward. Projectiles 86 are then fed into the platform bottom 18 where they roll toward the center thereof where the conveyor 88 carries the projectiles 86 to the hopper 90 to be fed to the horizontal conveyers 96 through feed channels 94. As the projectiles 86 come to rest on conveyer 96 they are carried outwardly toward the outer end of enclosures 34 riding against thev side 40. The projectiles 86 then drop through apertures 98 and into feed tubes 94, where they come to rest on top of member 68.

actuation of the valve firing means 76 by a second switching meand (not shown) air pressure from cylinder 78 is fed to the back portion of breech 58 forcing the projectile 86 out the barrel toward te opposite side of platform 12. Upon actuation of cylinder 72 by a third switching means (not shoen) slide 74 again retracts allowing another single projectile 86 to fall into breech 58. The loading and firing cycle is continued until the magazine 60 is empty. Since the cannon 54 is pivotally mounted it may be adjusted or aimed to change the direction of the shot toward the various targets 120. If a projectile 86 passes through an aperture 124, it strikes elements 126 and a signal is generated in response thereto. Theprojectile 86 then falls to the floor 36 where they automatically return to the individual cannon 50 by theautomatic feed means as previously described.

i In preparationfor travel enclosures 32 are collapsed by folding wall 42 inwardly and downwardly (FIG. 8)

and wall 46 downwardly (FIG. 9) and rotating enclosure 32 upward to the vertical position (FIG. by means of the automatic retraction. In the fully retracted position the enclosure 32 is balanced with its center of gravity acting downward through hinge 38.

The entire enclosure 32 is then moved manually from the balance point inward to the travel position where the weight of the enclosure 32 combined with the firing mechanisms, hold the enclosures 32 securely in place. Of course, locking pins may be used to secure the enclosures 32 to the frame. Doors 28 and are then swung downward upon retraction of braces 33 into the configuration as shown in FIG. 11.

It will thus be seen that the objects set forth above, among those made apparent from the preceding description, are efficiently attained and, since certain changes may be made in the above construction without departingfrom the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description or shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense.

-It is also to be understood that the following claims are intended to cover all of the generic and specific features of the invention herein described, and all statements of the scope of the invention which, as a matter of language, might be said to fall therebetween.

Now that the invention has been described,

What is claimed is: 1. A shooting game amusement device comprising a support platform, at least one enclosure attached to opposite sides of said support platform, said support platform comprising a portable trailer, said enclosures being pivotally attached to each side of said trailer along the longitudinal axis, said enclosure comprising a plurality of hingedly attached surfaces whereby said enclosure is collapsible, a plurality of firing mechanisms attached to each said enclosure, a plurality of targets arranged within each said enclosure..and an automatic feed means to provide said firing mechanisms with a continuous supply of projectiles.

of said enclosure.

2. The amusement device of claim 1 wherein said enclosure comprises a pair of identical enclosures placed end to end, said enclosure being held in the operative position when expanded by a support means interconnecting said enclosures to said support platform.

3. The amusement device of claim 1 wherein the sides of said trailer comprise hingedly attached doors and wherein said trailer further includes a brace means to hold said doors 'open to allow expansion of said enclosures.

4. The amusement device of claim 3 further including retraction means for automatically retracting said enclosures into said support platform.

5. The amusement device of claim 4 wherein said retraction means comprises an electro -mechanical retraction means including an electric motor operatively connected to a retractionelement attached to the side 6. The amusement device of claim 5 wherein said retraction element comprises at least onewire attached to the side of said enclosure such that upon retraction the center of gravity acts downward through said point of attachment.

7. The amusement device of claim 5 wherein said en closure is disposed within said trailer when retracted such that the weight of said enclosure holds said enclosure in place relative to said platform and said retraction means draws enclosure to the upright position when activated. t

' 8. The amusement device of claim 1 wherein said enclosure includes a'plurality of apertures through which said firing mechanisms operatively extend.

9. The amusement device of claim 1 wherein-said automatic feed means comprises a conveyer disposed within said support platform to receive said projectiles and transport said projectiles to a hopper, said hopper communicating with said firing mechanisms to feed said projectiles to said firing mechanisms.

10. The amusement device of claim 9 wherein said automatic feed means further includes at least one feed channel communicating with said hopper to feed said firing mechanisms.

11. The amusement device of claim 10 wherein said automatic feed means further includes a second conveyer which communicates with said. channel and said firing mechanism.

12. The amusement device of claim 1 wherein said firing mechanisms .comprise a cannon operatively attached to a pneumatic loading and tiring means.

13; The amusement device of claim 12 wherein said cannon comprises a breech operatively connected to a magazine and a barrel. V 14. The amusement device of claim 13 wherein said magazine comprises a substantially tubular vertically disposed element and said barrelcomprises a substantially cylindrical member extending forward of said breech.

15. The amusement device of claim 14 further including a feed chute attached to said magazine.

16. The amusement device of claim 12 wherein said pneumatic loading and firing means comprises a magazine loading piston inoperative relation to said magazine, a breech loading mechanism selectively'isolating said breech from said magazine, an accumulation chamber to receive air from an external source and a firing valve operatively connected to said accumulation 18. The amusement device of claim 1 wherein said targets comprise a plurality of parallel slats disposed relative to each other to cooperatively form a target surface having an aperture formed thereon and a target element disposed behind said aperture.

19. The amusement device of claim 18 wherein said targets are arranged alternatively between said firing mechanisms within each said enclosure.

l UNI'IICI) S'IA'IES PA'IEN'I 0mm CERTIFICATE OF CORRE JTION 3,802 705 Dated April 9, 1974 Patent No.

Imentofls) vJack E. Burns at 1 o r It is certified that error appears in the above-identified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown belowzl Column line 59, "missils" should read "missiles Column 4, line l Z, "than" should read that Column 5 line I 9, "meand" read mean line 11 after "barrel" insert 62 line 11, after "toward" delete "to" and insert the line 13, "shoen" should read shown Column 8,

line 7, "alternatively" should read alternately Signedand sealed this 29th day of October 1974.

Att eSC 8 McCOYM. GIBSON JR. c. MARSHALL DANN Attesting Officer Commissioner of Pat nts FORM PO JQS O (1 0- 9) USCOMM-DC soars-Pe 1 us uovsnuuzu mm'rmo OFFICE: 

1. A shooting game amusement device comprising a support platform, at least one enclosure attached to opposite sides of said support platform, said support platform comprising a portable trailer, said enclosures being pivotally attached to each side of said trailer along the longitudinal axis, said enclosure comprising a plurality of hingedly attached surfaces whereby said enclosure is collapsible, a plurality of firing mechanisms attached to each said enclosure, a plurality of targets arranged within each said enclosure, and an automatic feed means to provide said firing mechanisms with a continuous supply of projectiles.
 2. The amusement device of claim 1 wherein said enclosure comprises a pair of identical enclosures placed end to end, said enclosure being held in the operative position when expanded by a support means interconnecting said enclosures to said support platform.
 3. The amusement device of claim 1 wherein the sides of said trailer comprise hingedly attached doors and wherein said trailer further includes a brace means to hold said doors open to allow expansion of said enclosures.
 4. The amusement device of claim 3 further including retraction means for automatically retracting said enclosures into said support platform.
 5. The amusement device of claim 4 wherein said retraction means comprises an electro-mechanical retraction means including an electric motor operatively connected to a retraction element attached to the side of said enclosure.
 6. The amusement device of claim 5 wherein said retraction element comprises at least one wire attached to the side of said enclosure such that upon retraction the center of gravity acts downward through said point of attachment.
 7. The amusement device of claim 5 wherein said enclosure is disposed within said trailer when retracted such that the weight of said enclosure holds said enclosure in place relative to said platform and said retraction means draws enclosure to the upright position when activated.
 8. The amusement device of claim 1 wherein said enclosure includes a plurality of apertures through which said firing mechanisms operatively extend.
 9. The amusement device of claim 1 wherein said automatic feed means comprises a conveyer disposed within said support platform to receive said projectiles and transport said projectiles to a hopper, said hopper communicating with said firing mechanisms to feed said projectiles to said firing mechanisms.
 10. The amusement device of claim 9 wherein said automatic feed means further includes at least one feed channel communicating with said hopper to feed said firing mechanisms.
 11. The amusement device of claim 10 wherein said automatic feed means further includes a second conveyer which communicates with said channel and said firing mechanism.
 12. The amusement device of claim 1 wherein said firing mechanisms comprise a cannon operatively attached to a pneumatic loading and firing means.
 13. The amusement device of Claim 12 wherein said cannon comprises a breech operatively connected to a magazine and a barrel.
 14. The amusement device of claim 13 wherein said magazine comprises a substantially tubular vertically disposed element and said barrel comprises a substantially cylindrical member extending forward of said breech.
 15. The amusement device of claim 14 further including a feed chute attached to said magazine.
 16. The amusement device of claim 12 wherein said pneumatic loading and firing means comprises a magazine loading piston in operative relation to said magazine, a breech loading mechanism selectively isolating said breech from said magazine, an accumulation chamber to receive air from an external source and a firing valve operatively connected to said accumulation chamber and said breech to control the flow of air from said accumulation chamber to said breech.
 17. The amusement device of claim 16 wherein said magazine loading piston comprises a housing and horizontal retaining means extending therefrom and through the side wall of said magazine and said breech meachanism comprises a piston means and reciprocating slide means extending beneath the open end of said magazine within the top portion of said breech.
 18. The amusement device of claim 1 wherein said targets comprise a plurality of parallel slats disposed relative to each other to cooperatively form a target surface having an aperture formed thereon and a target element disposed behind said aperture.
 19. The amusement device of claim 18 wherein said targets are arranged alternatively between said firing mechanisms within each said enclosure. 